Method of treating stormwater runoff and domestic waste with coal ash

Abstract

A method of treating wastewater, and more particularly stormwater runoff or domestic waste, wherein the wastewater is directed through a high carbon ash particulate. Contaminants such as phosphorus, nitrogen, BOD and COD can be removed. In addition, treatment of the stormwater runoff or domestic waste with ash will raise the pH of the wastewater, generally to above 10, killing bacteria contained in the wastewater.

1. A method of treating stormwater runoff comprising directing the stormwater runoff through ash and utilizing the ash to remove one or more pollutants from the stormwater runoff. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  including pretreating the ash to remove sulfates and metals. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  including placing the ash in a chamber and directing the runoff into the chamber and through the ash. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  including utilizing ash from a furnace which burns coal with or without other fuels. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  including burning coal with or without other fuels in a furnace to produce the ash. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the ash comprises ash particles and wherein the ash particles are generally smaller than ⅜″ and large enough not to pass through a no. 50 sieve. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  including containing the ash in a porous container and directing the stormwater runoff through the container and the ash therein. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  including containing the ash in a geotexile filter medium. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  including screening the ash to produce particles of ash of a particular size. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  further including directing the stormwater runoff through a sand removing device that removes sand from the stormwater runoff. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein the ash removes nitrogen, phosphorus, BOD or COD from the stormwater runoff. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  including pretreating the ash by washing the ash and removing at least some sulfates and metals from the ash. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  including raising the pH of the stormwater runoff to 10 or higher by contacting the stormwater runoff with the ash. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  wherein the stormwater runoff is at least slightly acidic. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 1  including producing the ash from coal having a sulfur content of 3% or less. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 1  wherein a tire derivative fuel and/or wood comprises approximately 10% to 20% of a fuel burned to produce the ash. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein the tire derivative fuel is produced by removing metal from tires and cutting the tires into pieces. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1  including directing the stormwater runoff through a sand removal device, and thereafter into a chamber having the ash disposed therein.